Dishwasher apparatus



July 29, 1969 R. E. MADDEN DISHWASHER APPARATUS Filed Dc. 2. 1966 (s no 34 FIG. 2

'3o INVENTOR R|CHARD E. MADDEN ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent() 3,457,929 DISHWASHER APPARATUS Richard E. Madden, Coloma, Mich., assignor to Whirlpool Corporation, a lcorporation of Delaware Filedy Dec. 2, 1966, Ser. No. 598,769 Int. Cl. B08b 13/00; B05b 3/ 08, 7/24 U.S. Cl. 134-95 3 Claims ABSTRACT oF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to dishwashers and in particular to means for controlling the dishwashing liquid therein.

In a conventional dishwashing apparatus, hot water is delivered to a sump portion of the dishwasher tub and is pumped therefrom to a spray arm `which causes the liquid to be sprayed through the space in which the dishes to be Washed are disposed. The liquid then falls back into the sump whereupon it is repumped and sprayed. Such recirculated liquid and caused to impinge on the dishes with a preselected minimum quantity of dishwashing liquid.

To preclude the passage of large food particles and the like washed from the dishes back to the pump in such recirculation of the washing liquid, filter screens are conventionally employed. However, such filtering means permit small particles and the like to be carried with the recirculated liquid and caused to impinge on the dishes when the liquid is resprayed thereagainst, Similar impingement of previously dislodged particles on the dishes may also occur in the rinse cycle wherein recirculation ofthe rinse `water is similarly effected. Also, in such recirculated rinsing, filming may occur asa result of the recirculation-of the water containing detergent-hard water precipitates formed during the washing or rinsing cycle.

The present invention comprehends an improved dishwasher apparatus having means for effecting selectively a recirculation of the dish-treating liquid, such as dishwashing liquid and dish-rinsing liquid, and a similar base delivery of the liquid. Thus, a principal feature of the principal feature of the present invention is the provision of a dishwasher apparatus having new and improved means for controlling the dishwashing liquid therein.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of such a dishwasher apparatus having means for selectively causing the liquid to be recirculated or to be expelled from the apparatus after passing through the apparatus in a single pass.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of such a dishwasher'apparatus including tb meansdelining a space for receiving dishes to be washed, means for spraying dish-treating liquid through said space, means for collecting the sprayed liquid, and selectively operable means for selectively causing thecollected liquid to be 3,457,929 Patented July 29, 1969 expelled from the apparatus or to be recirculated to the spraying means.

A yet further feature of the invention is the provision of such a dishwasher apparatus having a first sump for holding dish-treating liquid for delivery to the pump and spray arm and a second sump for collecting the sprayed liquid, and means for selectively causing the liquid to be expelled from the second sump to drain or to be returned to the first sump for recirculation.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIGURE l is a fragmentary side elevation of a dishwasher apparatus embodying the invention having portions thereof broken away and having portions thereof illustrated schematically for facilitated illustration of the invention; and l FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary side elevation similar to that of FIGURE 1, but of a modified form of dishwasher apparatus embodying the invention.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention as disclosed in FIGURE 1 of the drawing, a dishwashing apparatus generally designated 10 is shown to comprise a tub 11 defining a space 12 for receiving dishes and the like to be washed (the conventional dish holding racks are omitted herein for facilitating illustration vof the invention). The bottom wall 13 of the tub 11 is provided with an upright portion 14 and an upper horizontal portion 15 cooperating with a lower wall 16 to define a first sump 17. Laterally of sump 17, the walls 14 and 13, together with the counter sidewall 18 of the tub 11, define a second sump 19.

Dish-treating liquid, such as hot water, is delivered to the dishwasher apparatus through a suitable supply conduit 20 which may be provided with a suitable control valve 21 through an inlet 22 into the sump 17. An opening 23 is provided in the wall 14 to provide communication between sump 17 and sump 19. Thus, the dishwashing liquid W may flow from sump 17V into sump 19 t0 have a level L in the sumps at or above the level of the opening 23.

Bottom wall 13 is provided with an outlet opening 24 connected to a drain pump 25 through a conduit for expelling the liquid from the tub 11 through a drain conduit 27. A branch conduit 28 is connected to conduit 26 for alternatively directing the liquid to a valve 29 connected to a conduit 30 leading to a pump 31. Pump 31, in turn, is connected through a conduit 32 to a rotatable spray arm 33 `for spraying the liquid W upwardly through space 12.

Valve 29 includes a movable member 34 which is selectively positionable to permit the above discussed flow of liquir W from conduit 28 to conduit 30 or to prevent such flow and alternatively permit ow of liquid W through an outlet opening 35 in the bottom wall 16 to the conduit 30. Thus, the valve member 34 is selectively positioned to block the opening 35 as shown in full linesn the supply conduit 20 to provide a preselected level L in'the lower" portion of the tub 11. Detergent or other suitable dishwashing material may be added to the water W at this time and the pump 31 is then caused to operate, thereby causing the washing liquid from the sump 19 to be sprayed upwardly by spray arm 33 and effect the desired dishwashing operation. The sprayed water in falling downwardly through the space 12 collects in the sump 19 from which it is withdrawn through outlet 24, conduits 26 and 28, valve 29 and conduit 30 back to the pump 31. This recirculated water is then resprayed upwardly through the space 12 for continuing the washing operation. At this time, the valve member 34 is closing the outlet 35 of sump 17 and pump 25 remains de-energized.

lUpon completion of the washing cycle, the valve member 34 is repositioned to the dotted line position and pump 25 is energized whereupon pump 31 withdraws the liquid from the sump 17 and causes it to be sprayed upwardly from spray arm 33 through space 12, while pump 25 expells the collected liquid in space 19 outwardly through the discharge conduit 27.

Fresh water may now be admitted to sump 17 from supply conduit to tiow therefrom downwardly through outlet 35 to pump 31 and thus be sprayed upwardly to provide a rinsing operation. The rinse water falls into sump 19 and is expelled by pump 25 to effect a one-phase rinsing operation precluding redisposition of particulate, insoluble soil material on the dishes during the rinsing.

As will be obvious to those skilled in the art, the valve 29, pumps and 31, and inlet valve 21 may alternatively be suitably operated by control 36 to provide partial recirculated wash arid/ or non-recirculated wash, and partial recirculated rinse and/or non-recirculated rinse, as desired.

Turning now to FIGURE 2, a modified form of dishwashing apparatus generally designated 110 is shown to comprise an apparatus generally similar to apparatus 10, but having a modified sump arrangement. Thus, in apparatus 110, the bottom wall 113 of the tub 111 is provided with an outlet opening 124. An enclosure 116 is mounted on the bottom wall 113 to define a sump 117 for receiving the water from the supply 120. The enclosure 116 is provided with a bottom opening 135 which is connected through a conduit 130 to the recirculating pump 131 for directing the water through a conduit 132 to the spray arm 133.

Directly below the opening 124 in sump 117 is provided a funnel member 137 having an upper end 138 opening to the tub space 112 through the opening 124 in bottom wall 113. The funnel member includes a downward extension 139 passing downwardly through the enclosure 116 and connected through a conduit 128 to the drain pump 125.

As shown in FIGURE 2, the funnel member 137 in addition to comprising the passage means for conducting the sprayed liqusid to the drain pump 125 further defines an upper foraminous portion 140 subjacent the upper end 138 effectively defining a filter means for filtering the collected liquid W as it returns to the sump 117 for redelivery to the spray pump 131. The edges 141 of bottom wall 113 defining the opening 124 are preferably downturned to terminate slightly below the level of the funnel end 138 while being spaced radially inwardly slightly from the foraminous Wall 140 to define an annular fiow passage l142 therebetween.

In the operation of the apparatus 110, the liquid W is received in sump 117 to have a level L therein which may be above the upper end 138 of the funnel 137. During the washing cycle, pump 131 is energized to withdraw the liquid from the sump 117 and pump it upwardly through spray arm 133 into space 4112. At this time, pump 125 remains de-energized and, thus, dishwashing liquid falling back downwardly from space 112 through opening 124 flows outwardly through the foraminous Wall 140 into the sump 117 to be recirculated by the spray pump 131. Material in the dishwashing liquid passing through the filter wall 140 collects on the inner surface thereof and is effectively precluded from being recirculated from the liquid into the space 12. Should, however, sufcient material be collected on the inner surface of wall 140 to effectively clog the foraminous wall, the liquid passing downwardly through opening 125 backs up through the annular passage 142 to overflow into the space 117. As the liquid flow is reversed in effecting this overflowing operation, the filtering action is effectively continued as a result of the settling action of the liquid material downwardly through the lower portion 139 of the funnel.

When it is desired to drain the liquid from the apparatus 110, the pump 125 is energized whereupon the liquid falling through opening 124 into funnel 137 is now expelled outwardly through conduit 128 by pump 125 to discharge conduit 127. The liquid in sump 117 is withdrawn by pump 131 and thusly passed downwardly through opening 124 and funnel 137 to pump 125, thereby completely draining the apparatus. As the liquid fiows downwardly through the funnel during the draining operation, a portion thereof washes along the inner surface of the foraminous wall 140 to wash the collected material therefrom and deliver it with the liquid to the drain conduit 127.

Fresh water may now be introduced into the sump 117 from the supply conduit to be pumped by pump 131 through spray arm 133 and thereby effect a rinsing operation. The rinse water collected through opening 124 and funnel 137 may be immediately expelled from the apparatus by pump 125, thereby effecting a single pass rinsing operation. Alternatively, as discussed above, a portion of either or both of the washing and rinsing cycles may be recirculation or single pass operations as desired by suitably controlling the coordinated operation of the pumps and 131 and inlet supply valve 121 by suitable conventional control 136.

While I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. Dishwasher apparatus comprising: tub means delining a space for receiving dishes to be washed; means for spraying dish-treating liquid through said space; means for collecting the sprayed liquid; means defining an outlet from said collecting means for passing collected liquid therefrom; and selectively operable valve means connected to said outlet for controlling iiow from said outlet to cause the collected liquid selectively (a) to be expelled from the apparatus after a single spraying through said space or (b) to be recirculated to said spraying means for a subsequent spraying through said space.

2. The dishwasher apparatus of claim 1 further including means for holding a preselected quantity of the dish-treating liquid and means for conducting the liquid from said liquid holding means to said spraying means, and said selectively operable valve means includes means for concurrently (a) expelling the liquid from each of said collecting means and said holding means and (b) precluding delivery of the liquid from the collecting means to said spraying means during at least a portion of the said expelling of said liquid.

3. Dishwasher apparatus comprising: tub means detining a space for receiving dishes to be washed; means for spraying dish-treating liquid through said space; passage means having an inlet communicating with said space for conducting all sprayed liquid from said space; means for selectively closing said passage means at a point spaced from said inlet; and filter means for filtering material from said sprayed liquid in said passage means and conducting all the ltered liquid to be recirculated to said spraying means when said closing means is closing said passage means and arranged to have the sprayed liquid liow against the filtered material and carry it through said passage means away from the filter means and past said passage closing means to discharge it from said apparatus when said passage closing means is open, said passage means being arranged to require that said spraying means be operated concurrently with the opening of said passage closing means to permit the discharge of all of said liquid from said apparatus, and said filter means including a hollow, upwardly open filter in said passage means spaced subjacent said inlet providing for bypassing of liquid iiow about said filter means to said spraying means when said filter means is clogged with said material.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 12/1936 Schmidt 134-191 XR 7/1959 Levit et al 134-111 XR 12/1960 Bock 134-95 XR 5/1962 Butsch et al 134--111 XR 10/1963 Grunvogel 134-111 XR FOREIGN PATENTS 3/ 1937 Switzerland.

ROBERT L. BLEUTGE, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 

